Focus
The following passage of questions to life’s final exam was taken from The Divine Center by Stephen R. Covey, (1982). President McKay provides one of the most insightful intimations as to what we should be concentrating our efforts on in this life. This advice is so applicable to me because I get easily confused and distracted at times with what is important in life and what is not.
In 1965, President David O. McKay made the following statement to a group of Church employees:
Questions to Life’s Final Exam
“Let me assure you, Brethren, that someday you will have a personal priesthood interview with the Savior himself. If you are interested, I will tell you the order in which he will ask you to account for your earthly responsibilities.
Your Spouse
“First, he will request an accountability report about your relationship with your wife. Have you actively been engaged in making her happy and ensuring that her needs have been met as an individual?
Your Children
“Second, he will want an accountability report about each of your children individually. He will not attempt to have this for simply a family stewardship but will request information about your relationship to each and every child.
Talents
“Third, he will want to know what you personally have done with the talents you were given in the pre-existence.
Church Assignments
“Fourth, he will want a summary of your activity in your Church assignments. He will not be necessarily interested in what assignments you have had, for in his eyes, the home teacher and mission president are probably equals, but he will request a summary of how you have been of service to your fellow man in your Church assignments.
Integrity
“Fifth, he will have no interest in how you earned your living but if you were honest in all your dealings.
Service
“Sixth, he will ask for an accountability on what you have done to contribute in a positive manner to your community, state, country, and the world.”
[Sisters, ask yourselves these same questions.]~ (rpt. by Cloyd Hofheins in a talk to the seventies quorum of Provo Utah Oak Hills Stake, May 16, 1982, and qtd. in Covey 54, 55).
My Take
It seems to me that these questions are applicable to any faith or belief system. These questions provide a framework for reflection, personal assessment, and accountability that can lead to a purposeful and happy life. They are also a roadmap to practice love, kindness, forgiveness, and compassion on a daily basis… Character traits that I strive for because of the purpose and happiness they bring into my life and the lives of many others I try to serve.
Works Cited
Images – Post and Rich Snippets image: “David O Mckay Mormon Prophet” by More Good Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Quote – Covey, S. (1982). The Divine Center. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft and A Personal Interview with the Savior – President David O …(n.d.). Retrieved from http://emp.byui.edu/ANDERSONR/itc/Book%20_of_Mormon/04_jaco.
